Cigar-banding machine.



. 0. WOODLAND. CIGAR BANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.19, 1912.

Patented Maf.3,1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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my 0? QM F. 0. WOODLAND.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.19, 1912.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

3 SEEETB-SHBET 2.

frgVsnzzzard/(raw/a 14/ F.-O. WOODLAND.

CIGAR BANDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB.19, 1912.

Patented-Mar. 3, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

FRANK O. WOODLAND, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

CIGAR-BANDING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 3, 191 1.

Applicatibn filed February 19, 1912. S rial No. 678,650.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK O. WOODLAND,

' a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of lVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cigar-Banding Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being made therein to the accompanying drawings. v

This invention relates to improvements in that part of a banding machine whereby the cigars, or the like, are conveyed to and from the band-affixing mechanism; and its combination with the banding means. 1 The prime object of my present inven-' tion is to provide an organization of mechanism and mode of operation in a banding machine, which will permit and facilitate the handling and manipulation of the cigars, or the like, in the peculiar, convenient and expeditious manner more fully hereinafter explained.

Another object is to provide a cigar-banding machine with a horizontally rotatable turn-table or carrier, having means for receiving, supporting, carrying and delivering the cigars, and upon which the cigars can be conveniently placed and removed by the operator, without danger of injury to the hands; but affording ample and clear space for conveniently performing the work, Also, in which the cigars are received and delivered with the same side uppermost, and in a position for rapid and easy handling. A further object is to provide, in combination with means for gumming, delivering, and affixing bands, a horizontal intermittently moving table or carrier havin a plurality of supporters thereon, upon WhlCh cigars or the like are consecutively supported and carried to the band-affixing appliances, the band gripped after being placed thereon, and the cigar brought around to a conveniently located predetermined position for the feed and discharge thereof, and means for operating the carrier and devices mounted thereon, as more fully hereinafter explained.

The nature of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying three sheets of draw ings, wherein Figure 1 represents a plan view of mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation view. Fig. 3 is a separate elevation view of the gripperactuating cam. Fig. 4.- is a sectional plan view showlng the lower portion of the carrier turntable and means for operating the same. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the working relation of the improved gripper and lapper devices, and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation view of the cigar-sup- Dorting rest, the gripper-arm and lapper member,

According to my present invention, there 1s provided a horizontal turn-table or carr er-plate mounted to rotate about an uprlght stationary axis-stud or shaft, which is rigidly secured in the bed-frame or main table; and upon said plate, which is preferably of circular form, there are arranged a series, or plurality, of dual rests for sup.- porting cigars, or the like, during the banding operation. Also, for each of the dual rests there is provided upon the carrier a swinging grip-device or band-clamping means; and also an upwardly acting presser means. These devices, and the plurality or series, are of peculiar construction and operation and .the several sets are adapted to be brought into action in successive order by intermittent rotative movement of the carrier. In the present instance the plurality comprises four sets or groups of devices; but a different number may in some instances be in like manner employed, if desired. The general arrangement of the supporters or dual rests upon the carrier lation to the band-afiixing devices, in such manner that the cigar, or article to be band,- ed, can be placed u on the supporting rest at the open front 0 the machine; then car.-

ried to one side to a position where it receives its band, while another cigar is being placed upon a rest at the front position; the cigars, or the like, being in sequence held and brought around to a front position where the attendant can conveniently remove the banded cigar from the supporter and immediately place thereon an unbanded cigar by hand. The mechanism is thus designed for facilitating the convenient, safe and rapid manipulation of the work. This improved carrier mechanism is intended to be employed in connection with mechanism for delivering and afiixing bands at a predetermined position in the circuit. It will be.understood that the means for supporting the supply pack of bands, and the devices for gumming, delivering, and aflixing the bands may be of any approved suitable construction; as for instance such mechanism as is illustrated and described in my previous application for Letters Patent of the United States, afierial No. 565,619. Therefore I have not shown, in this case, all parts and details of such mechanism, but have included in the accompanying drawings portionsthereof suificient to illustrate the nature of 'the combination and mode of operation therewith of the means which constitutes my present invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A indicates the main table, bed or frame; H the band-supply holder mounted upon a projecting frame or arm E, and adapted for supporting a pack of bands B for bottom deliver therefrom, and D indicates the operating shaft upon which are mounted cams or devices for actuating the workin parts. Numeral 15 indicates the gumming roll or means by which bands are taken singly from the bottom of the pack B and delivered to or across the cigar G at the place of aflixment; and 40 and 41 indicate the pair of oppositely oscillatable lappers, or means .for aflixing the band 6 about the cigar or like article.

42 and 43 indicate the lapper-carrierarms respectively mounted upon hubs or tumblers 44 and 45 that are j'ournaled upon the stationary shaft 46. These lapper devices and their actuating means may be arranged to operate substantially as shown, described and claimed in my previous application for Letters Patent above named, and having been so set forth it' is not necessary to herein illustrate and describe the same more fully in detail.

The numeral 20 indicates the horizontally rotatable carrier, which is mounted upon a tubular upright shaft or stud 21 fixed in the table A; a portion of said shaft being above and a portion below the table. At or near the outer edge of the carrier plate there are arranged a plurality of su porters or rests 25 disposed 1n pairs or dual order, and having cradle-shaped top seats in which to place .the cigar or the like, for its support while receiving its band; said dual rests being disposed with an interval or space between them for theaccommodation of the ends of the band and lappers as they ass about the cigar supported thereon. in adjustable gage 22 is mounted on an arm 23 connected with one part of the rest 25, for positioning the cigar thereon; the end of the cigar being placed against the face of the gage member.

Corresponding to the several supporting clined sides 7 and an under-face adapted to rest upon the band and centrally retain the same against the cigar when the grip-device head descends upon the cigar at the banding position, and while the ends of the band are being lapped beneath. The second arm or lug of said grip-device is provided with a roller 27 that runs upon a stationary cam 29,

for controlling the action ofthe grip. The cam is fixed to the upper part of the stationary shaft 21; its track is formed with a rise at the front side. At the side that corresponds to the band-aflixing position, said cam 29 is recessed,. (as at 8, Fig. 3,) and a movable element or arm 30 is arranged therein, the lower end of which forms a bridge or section 31 in the cam track, upon which the roller 27 travels. The track surface of the cam at 23, forward of the bridge 31, is somewhat higher than the surfaceat 24 in rear of the bridge.v Said bridge is elevated into line'with the surface 23 (see Fig. 3) when the grip-device roller 27 passes onto the bridge; then the latter is lowered into alinement with the surface 24 before the roller passes from the bridge. By this means the gripping member is carried Without contacting, into full alinement with the banding position, and is then depressed by an abrupt and direct drop upon the delivered band; then as the roller passes rearward from the bridge the grip-device is not lifted, but remains pressing upon the band. A spring 5 (see Fig. 6) may be arranged in any convenient manner for ulling down the grip-device if desired. Such springs have been omitted on the other figures to avoid complication of lines.)

The head of the bridge-carrying arms 30 is connected to the upper end of a rod 32 arranged through the tubular shaft 21, and is engaged through the tubular shaft 21 and is engaged by lifter mechanism below the table.

33 indicates the upwardly acting presser, which in the present instance consists of a lever pivotally connected with the carrier, as at 34, and disposed in approximately radial reeaaaa position; said lever having at its outer end a concave faced cushion or seat 35 that moves upward beneath the cigar, between the two parts of the dual rest, and in conjunction with the grip-device clasps the cigar after the band is fixed thereon, and retains the same until it is carried to the position for discharge. The carrier has suitable openings therethrough, as at I, Fig. 4, and the swinging presser lever or member 33 is provided with a roller 36 that runs against a stationary cam 37 located beneath the carrier plate. Said cam is shaped to,properly control the action of the presser. The cam has an outward swell r disposed to raise the presser into contact with the banded cigar, immediately as the carrier starts to move it away from the position where the band is affixed thereto; thereby pressing the cushion against the lapped ends of the band and preventing the outer end from curling away from the under lapped portion before the glue or adhesive gum has become set and securely adhered. The cam 37 keeps the presser elevated until its roller reaches the point where the cam is curved inward for permitting the retreat of the presser. At about the same place the cam 29 lifts the grip-device, as shown in Fig. 2.

The mechanism for imparting the intermittent action to the circular carrier 20 preferably consists of an angle lever 38 mounted to swing horizontally upon the stationary shaft 21 below the table and retained thereon on a collar 21 one arm of said lever being provided with a pivotal pawl 39 that engages in one of a series of recesses 2' at the edge of the carrier, while the other arm of said angle-lever is connected by a connection-bar 50 with a crank 51 mounted upon the operating shaft D, the

lever and crank being proportioned to swing the carrier stops are indicated by the nu-' the carrier 20, in the present instance, one

quarter revolution at each revolution of the shaft. As herein shown the connection-bar is provided with universal-joint couplings 52 and 53 at its respective ends to accommodate the vertical and lateral swing incidental to the lever and crank motions, and at one end is provided with means 54 for eflecting adjustment for regulating the parts to give accuracy of action.

The several steps or positions at which merals 1, 2, 3 and l; the position 1 being that at which the cigars are placed upon and taken from the several supporting rests.

For retaining the carrier in place 'while the pawl 39 is performing its backward or return movement, there is provided a stoppawl 55 that engages one of the recesses i. Said pawl is pivoted to a suitable stationary part of the frame, and hasa spring 56 combined therewith in any eflicient manner for pressing its nose into engagement with the recess. Acting against the pawl 55 I provide a locking means, or cam 57 that prevents its release from the recess except during the time that the lever and pawl 39 are advancing the carrier; at which time a reduced portion of the cam permits the pawl 55 to swing outward from the recess so as to allow free movement of the carrier. By thus locking the pawl 55 the carrier is positively retained at one of the predetermined stop positions, and there is no liability of the carrier mechanism becoming disarranged, accidentally or otherwise, in relation to the band-affixing mechanism while the machine is idle, and so that the two mechanisms will clash when the machine is again started.

For raising and lowering the bridge 31 there is shown a lever v60 fulcrumed at 61 upon a bracket attached to the table A; one end of said lever extending beneath the end of the rod 32, while its other end, which is provided with a suitable contact or roller, engages with a cam 62 mounted on the shaft D, which cam is suitably shaped for giving the proper action to the bridge devices.

In practice a suitable shelf or table can be employed at the front of the machine upon which the boxes or receptacles for the cigars may be supported conveniently at hand.

It will be understood that the operating shaft D is, as in most machines of this class, driven by an automatic-stop clutch which, when tripped, gives one revolution of the shaft and then throws off, unless the trip device is held out of contact. Automatic-stop drive clutches being common and well known, it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate'such a drive clutch in this case.

It may be assumed that at each revolution of the operating shaft D, a complete cycle of action of the band-afiixing mechanism ocours, as noted in my prior application; that is, a band is delivered from the pack by the gum-roller .15, and afiiXed to the cigars at the position 2 by the lappers 40 and 41, and that the carrier 20 then advances one step.

ln the operation: Assuming that the ma-- chine is all in normal running order, the attendant feeds the cigars to the machine, one ata time, by placing a cigar upon the supporting-rest 25 which is at the front position 1; the end of the cigar being placed against the positioning gage 22, as indicated. (See dotted line, Fig. 1.) Then when the carrier 20 is advanced by the action of the crank 51, lever 38, and pawl 39, which latter swings from the position shown in fulllines Fig. 1 to the position indicated by dotted lines 39*, the cigar is carried from position 1 to position 2, and in the meantime the roller 27 travels down the incline of the cam 29 and onto the bridge-section 31, which is at that time elevated to the level of the approaching track at 23; then after the carrier reaches its stop position the bridge section is lowered by the action of the cam 62 and lever 60, let-' ting the grip-device head 6 quickly descend and press upon the center of the band, which has just previously been delivered across the cigars by the gumming device 15; said grip holding said band while its adhesive coated end is stripped from the gumming device, and while being lapped .about the cigar. While the band is being applied at the position 2 and the pawl 39 is swinging back to primal position, the carrier is securely retained in place by the holding pawl 55 and its locking cam 57. Also, during such time the attendant places another cigar upon the next succeeding supporting-rest, which is then at the position 1. Another movement of the carrier brings. this succeeding cigar from the position 1 to position 2, and advances the previously banded cigar from position 2 to position 3, and as it starts to advance (the lappers .40 and 11 having been elevated) the roller 36 running against the swell r of the cam 37 elevates the presser member 33 and causes it to press upward against the adhering lapped ends of the recently affixed band, and clasping the cigar and hand between said presser and the grip-device head 6, where it is securely held and carried until it reaches the position for its discharge. In like manner successive cigars are fed onto the plurality of dual rests as they come to the front position 1 and are carried successively to the side position 2 where they are banded, and thence,-step by step, to a position where the roller 36 of the presser member runs onto the depression of the cam 37, allowing the presser to drop away from the cigar; while the roller '27 of the gripdevice climbs; the rise of its actuating cam 29, causing the elevation of the grip-device,

aslin Fig. 2, leaving free open space for the.

discharge and replacement of cigars; the arrangement and action being such that the attendant can conveniently remove the banded cigar from the supporting rest with one hand and replace it with an unbanded cigar with the other hand during the time that a preceding cigar is receiving its band.-

The details and arrangement herein shown for illustration, may in practice be somewhat varied by persons skilled in the art, Without departing from the nature, and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise form and details as shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine for handing cigars or the like,. in combination with means for gumming, presenting and aflixing unattached encircling bands; a rotatable carrier or turn-table element having thereonaseries 1 of dual intermediately spaced supporters adapted for carrying cigars or the like, disposed in approximately tangential relation to the circle of rotation and in horizontal plane with the band-affixing position, bandclasping devices accompanying each of said supporters, actuating mechanism therefor, ary vertical axis-shaft whereon said carrier alternately synchronous with the action of said band-affixing means; said carrier and supporters adapted to receive cigars placed thereon when at the front position, to move to a side position for the reception and aflixment of the bands, and to then pass step by-step to a predetermined position where the cigars can be discharged or removed from the supporters, substantially as set forth.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for delivering and affixing bands; of a horizontal circular revolving carrier mounted upon an upright axis, a plurality of cigar-supporting rests standing upon said carrier whereon cigars are successively carried to the bandafiixing members, means for severally retaining the cigars upon the carrier,-said mechanism being arranged for receiving the iming and delivering bands singly at a predetermined position for aflixment, and a pair of oppositely oscillating lapper-devices for wiping 0n the band; a plvotally centered rotatable carrier provided with a plurality of dual rests supported thereon at or near its periphery, approximately tangential in relation to a circle passing through the band-aflixing position, said dual rests each adapted for receiving a cigar or the like thereon at a front position, and to carry the same by an intermittent step movement 1nto alinement with said lapper-devices, a pair of devices on said carrier for clasping the cigar and band succeeding the lapperdevices, means forintermittently rotatively advancing saidcarrier, for bringing the banded cigar to a position where it can be conveniently removed by the operator, and means for closing and opening said clasping devices. a

4. In a banding machine, in combination with means for gumming, delivering and lapping-on a band, a horizontally rotatable carrier provided with a plurality of cigarsupporters mounted thereon in approxiresting thereon, means for advancing said carrier with a step-by-step movement corresponding with the spacing of said supporters, and actuating means that effects the closing and the opening of the respective grip-devices and presser-devices at predetermined positions in the cycle of rotative movement of the carrier.

5. In a cigar-banding machine, in combination, a horizontal carrier provided with a plurality of cigar-supporting rests mounted at regular intervals thereon to be successively carried to a predetermined position for receiving a cigar upon the rest, and then to a position for receiving the band; means for gumming and delivering the band across the cigar, means for lapping and sealing the ends of the band, a pluralityo-f independently acting grip-devices accompanying the several rests, said grip-devices adapted to severally act for centrally holding the delivered band during the lappingon operation, and to retain its grip thereon while the carrier is transferring the cigar to the place of discharge, means for intermittently shifting said carrier, and means for controlling said grip-devices.

6. In a machine for handing cigars or the like, the combination, with means for gumming and delivering bands, and a pair of oppositely acting lapper-devices that press the respective ends of the band about the cigar or the like, of a rotary carrier pro-- vided with a series of supporting-rests upon which the cigar or artlcle is placed for receiving its band, means at each rest for pri- 'marily retaining the band in centered relation, consisting of an armed member pivoted to an upstanding bearing-lug mounted upon said carrier, and its clamping-head adapted to descend upon the presented band before the lappers act thereon, and to move-with the cigar rest and carrier away from the aflixing position without releasing its pressure on the band, an operating means for advancing said carrier with a step-by-step intermittent action, and means for actuating said band-retaining member.

7 In a cigar-banding machine, in combination with means for afiixing the bands; a center-gripping device adapted for holding on the band while the affixing devices act thereon, and for continuing its hold thereafter, andan upwardly acting presser that contacts with the band opposite thereto, after the affixing means is retracted, said presser in conjunction with said gr1p clasping and carrying the banded C1081 to the place of discharge, and means for respectively actuating said center-gnppmg device and said presser.

8. In a machine of the class described, the

combination, with means for delivering the label or band, and a pair of devices for lapping the ends of the band together, sald lapping-devices carried upon separate 0scil latable members; of a hand grip member, a horizontally revoluble carrier upon which said grip-member is carried to revolve into alinement with and away from the working position of said lapping-devices, a stationary vertical axis-shaft whereon said carrier is mounted, and means fixed on said shaft for controlling the operation of said grip member, for the purpose set forth.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, means for gumming one end of a band and delivering it at position for aflixment, means adapted for lapping the opposite ends of the band about the cigar, a horizontally rotatable carrier having a plurality of dual cigar-supporting rests mounted thereon. a corresponding plurality of individual grip-devices adapted for contact with the bands at the place of their delivery above said rest, means for intermittcntly advancing and stopping said carrier to bring the cigar to the band-receiving station, and there rest while the band is delivered and affixed thereto, a stationary camtrack that controls the grip devices as the carrier moves forward, said cam-track including a movable section positioned in coinciding relation to the band-affixing position, and means for shifting said movable section to effect the closing action of the grip-device while the carrier is at rest at the band-receiving station.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for gumming and delivering bands. and band afiixing devices; of a horizontally rotatable carrier, a series of dual cigar-supporting rests thereon, a movable band-holding gripdevice mounted on the carrier accompanying each rest, said grip-device being provided with a bearing arm and roller, a stationary grip-controlling'cam having a track for said roller, and provided with a movable bridgesection in said track, and means for raising and depressing said bridge-section, for the purpose set forth.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of the horizontally rotatable carrier, its stationary tubular axial shaft, cigar-supporting rests and swinging grip-devices mounted on said carrier, a grip-controlling cam having a movable bridge-section therein, the track of said cam being higher at one side of the bridgesection than at the other, a lifter-arm carry ing said bridge-section, a rod connected with the lifterarm and passing through the tubular axial shaft, a lever engaging the end oi said rod, an operating shaft, and a cam on said shaft for actuating said lever and bridge-section.

12. In a machine of the character described. the combination, of the horizontally rotatable carrier, a plurality of work-sup porting rests mounted thereon, an upwardly and downwardly swinging grip-device pivoted upon the carrier accompanying each supporting rest, a central cam controlllng the swinging action of said grip-devices, said cam provided with a movable section, means for actuating said movable section, an upwardly acting presser-member at each rest, said member pivotally connected with the carrier to' swing into alinement with the central space in the rest, and a cam beneath the carrier-plate for actuating said pressermembers.

13. In a cigar-banding machine, the combination with the cigarsupporting rest, means for delivering the bands, and a pair of opposite band-aifixing lappers; of a center-grip device provided with a contacthead having outwardly inclined sides adapted for separating the approaching ends of the lappers and preventing pressure thereof upon the upper half of the cigar.

14. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination with the band-aflixing lappers mounted upon retractable oppositely oscillating carriers that shift out and into alinement, and then travel in approximately circular arcs about the axis of the work at a predetermined location; of a rotating series of a center-gripping device, each having a contact end member that acts between said lappers to prevent their pressure upon the surface of the cigar until their oscillative movement commences.

15. In a banding machine, the combination, of an overhanging band-supply holder, an upwardly and downwardly movable gumming device adapted for adhesive contact with and beneath the pack of bands on said holder, near one end thereof, for taking a band therefrom and delivering the same across the cigar, a pair of right and left oscillating bandaffixing lappers movable about a common axis, a cigar-supporting rest arranged for bringing a cigar into approximate alinement with the axis about which said lappers oscillate, and a; rotatable intermittently moving carrier having said cigar-supporting rest mounted thereon.

16. In a banding machine, the combination, with the rotatable intermittently moving carrier having cigar-supporting rests carried thereon, band-deliverlng and bandafixing devices, and the operating cam-shaft from which said band-delivering and bandaflixing devices are actuated; of a carrierlocking means comprising a spring-actuated locking member pivoted upon the stationary frame to interlock with a recess in saidcarr er, and a guard moving with said operating canishaft, and coacting with said locking member, and adapted for preventing release of said locking member from the engaged recess, but having a predetermined interval that permits the retraction of said locking member while the band-aflixing devices are out of alinement with the cigar-supporting rests.

17 In a banding machine, in combination, a rotatable carrier having a series of dual supporting rests severally adapted for supporting a cigar or the like positioned for receiving a band, means for moving and stopping said carriers at intervals in the circle of its movement, means for gumming a band at one end and presenting said band across a cigar lying upon the dual rest, at the station for afiixment, a pair of oscillating lappers having a movement about an axis approximately coincident with the axis of the cigar, mechanism-for operating said lappers, a cam-shaft provided with cams for actuating the same, a catch engaging said carrier for retaining it at stopped position, and a rotatable disk acting against the back of said catch for positively locking it in engaged position, a portion of the periphery of said disk being cut away to permit release of said catch during a predetermined interval,v as set forth.

18. In a cigar-banding machine, the combination as described, with a positioned band-affixing means including right and left oscillating lappers, a rotatable carrier, a divided cigar supporting rest mounted on said carrier approximately tangential to the circle of its movement and disposed for pre senting and supporting a cigar in endwisej alinement with the axis about which said lappers oscillate, one part of said rest pro- 100 vided with a proj'ectlng armparallel with the axial line of the rest, an end-gage mem-' ber adjustable upon said arm, and means for retaining its adjustment.

Witness my hand this 15th day of Febru- 105 ary, 1912.

FRANK O. WOODLAND.

Witnesses: 7 r

V CHAS. H. BURLEIGH, EDWARD K..H1LL. 

